I'm planning to install a home theater in our existing home. We plan to install a plasma TV on the wall in the living room and place the components in cabinets in the adjacent kitchen. I am worried about potential heat build-up... there is no option to take out a back wall as the cabinets back up to another room. The professional installers assure me this will be fine, but I have a friend with heat issues and am concerned. Thoughts??? Also, this is not a huge system: Denon receiver, HD DTV, DVD, VCR, CD Changer, Monster power. Thanks!

As long as it is not packed into the cabinet it should be fine. What Denon receiver is it, and is that an HD Sat receiver?

Tas, one option would be to make a few 1-inch holes in the top and bottom of the cabinet, maybe along the back, and let convection provide the air flow. Of course, without seeing the cabinet, it would be hard to tell you exactly where.

When you said the cabinet "backs up to another room", I assume you mean that the back of the cabinet is exposed. If so, maybe a black-fiberglass window-screen material could be used.

If you mean typical kitchen cabinets, the uppers, being only 12" deep, you'd be limited to my first suggestion, unless the tops reach the ceiling. If you mean the lower cabinets, typically 24" deep, there should be enough air to not be a problem.

Then, there are the motorized options. one or two 3- to 4-inch fans set over similar-sized holes, again in the top, blowing out, or the bottom, blowing in, should be plenty. In either top or bottom holes, the fans should push the air upward Sometimes, with air holes top and bottom, fan(s) in a middle shelf work well.

Another thing you can do with a small fan is set it over the ventilation slots of your receiver (again, blowing up), even if in a closed cabinet, and it will provide a surprising amount of cooling.

Many people here suggest that DC fans are quieter than AC, although it is a generalization. A Radio Shack power supply would be a way to power the fan(s) selected. AC or DC, the fan can be plugged into a switched outlet for automatic operation.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

It's a Denon 2802 (single zone) and a Hughes DirecTV/HDTV receiver.

The cabinets are pantry style kitchen cabinets. They are 24" deep and just over 34" across. I am hoping to fit 2 components across, but will have to see, it may be too tight. So potential is tight from side to side, but plenty of room front to back.

In terms of holes--if I drill up, it's into the ceiling, down goes to the basement (unfinished), and behind goes to the dining room (probably not an option!).

How will I know whether it's too hot or not without blowing a component or burning down the house?

Thanks!

Well, with a floor-to-ceiling cabinet, I wouldn't worry. In my opinion, you have enough volume in the cabinet for normal convection to disperse the heat.

The touch-test is usually reliable enough for audio and video equipment; if the piece is not uncomfortably warm, it should be okay.

Note that amps (and receivers), CD, laserdisc, and DVD players, as well as VCRs and satellite tuners all create some heat. The manufacturers know this, and design their equipment to withstand "normal" heat.

If you feel (pardon the pun) the equipment is too warm, just leave a cabinet door ajar when using the system.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

If it goes from floor to ceiling, I would got with Larry's first suggestion of drilling the holes. Drill right to the basement and into the ceiling. The cool air from the basement would only help and then it would just vent into the cieling. But I wouldn't waste the time unless it seemd to get too hot.

With 34 inches across you should be very close with the spacing. usually hear is no more than 17 inches wide.